Tyrone GAA is in mourning, after the sad death of former manager of the intercounty football team Art McRory.
The death of McRory at the age of 82 was reported on Wednesday afternoon.
McRory was manager of Tyrone for almost 25 years over three different spells in charge, leading the county to their first ever All-Ireland final appearance in 1986, and a further appearance in 1995, before moving aside at the end of the 2002 season.
Tyrone would go on to win their first Sam Maguire the following year, and many of that 2003 team that went on to bring such success to the county during the 2000s got their first chance with the intercounty team under McRory's management.
Having guided Tyrone to five Ulster SFC titles, as well as the 2002 National League, McRory will rightly be remembered as a titan of Tyrone GAA, and his death has understandably brought great sadness to the football community within the county.
One of the players who got their first chance with Tyrone under Art McRory was the great Owen Mulligan, and he took to social media to share a hilarious story which showed the strength of McRory's brilliant man management.
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Tyrone GAA: Owen Mulligan pays tribute to Art McRory
Owen Mulligan is rightly remembered as one of the finest Tyrone players of their golden era during the 2000s, and he was entrusted with his first minutes in a county jersey by the late Art McRory.
21 September 1986; Tyrone manager Art McRory watches from the sideline. Kerry v Tyrone, All-Ireland Football Final, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
Mulligan took to social media this week to reveal the influence McRory had on him beyond that, revealing a moment of brilliant "tough love" that exemplified what made McRory such a thoughtful and well-loved manager:
Like many today I'd like to express my deepest sympathy to the McRory family on the passing of a mighty man Art.
Art called me up in 2001 and gave me my championship debut. He also gave me probably the best advice I've ever received from a manager.
After missing a Tuesday night training session, following a costumery championship Monday night club rip, he called me over ahead of the Thursday night session.
"Young Mulligan you need to stop hanging about with your three best friends if you want to make it as a Tyrone senior football or get any sort of success."
I asked him "Who are they?"
He said "The most popular ones. Arthur Guinness, John Jameson and Gerard Cavlan."
He then pushed his glasses back up to his nose and smirked.
"I miss nothing ye Bollix!"
It's a brilliant story that epitomises the character of Art McRory, and the impact he had on the careers of so many Tyrone footballers.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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